Halo is defined as a shooter and Blue Dragon is considered an RPG no matter where you are in the world. The case isn’t so clear for Ninety Nine Nights, which is considered an action game in North America and Europe, but it is a role playing game in India, Chile, Korea, Australia and Hong Kong.

Other games that are classified RPGs in other regions include:

Beyond Good and Evil (South Korea)

Otogi 2 (Hong Kong)

Jockey’s Road (Japan)

Otogi (Japan)

Silent Hill 2: Inner Fears Silent Hill 2: Inner Fears (Australia)

Tak: The Great Juju Challenge (Australia)

I’m not sure what each marketing department is defining as an RPG, but Tak: The Great Juju Challenge is a huge stretch. The only RPG-like mechanic in Tak is that he “levels” up in the game by unlocking new abilities.

I think that in other countries “Role-Playing” means something different. In the US and Europe we think of a Role-Playing Game as one where you level up and develop as a character. I think, though, in the Asian countries the name has a more literal meaning. You are playing as a specific character with his own unique story. So in effect you are taking the “role” of the character. This is just a theory but I’ve had this discussion with someone before and it seems to apply here.

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